Calcium supplements for children?

[Pam]

My 5 year old has had Wysoy on prescription until recently so I haven't been too concerned about her calcium intake. However now she has stopped this her diet is pretty poor and she doesn't drink enough calcium enriched soya milk or eat enough calcium rich food to compensate so I'm looking for some drops or capsules that can be opened to give to her. Any recommendations?

I feel a bit silly making a doctors appointment to ask for some drops when there is nothing else wrong with her other than her brittle toe nails (would this be caused by calcium deficiency?). I don't particularly want to go back to the dietician either as my opinion of her is not very high to say the least. She suggesting adding extra sugar and fat to everything I gave my daughter to up her calorie intake. Yes it would have the desired effect but would also set her up for a lifetime of unhealthy eating and health problems.

[loubylou27]

Just had to smile cos I once had the same advice re fat from my (one and only) phonecall with a dietician.. and I ignored it for the same reason as you. :rant:

I can't say much about the calcium other than have you been to a pharmacy? they are usually helpful and would be able to tell you what's available, then you can just ask for a script on paper at the docs.

I found this table helpful in seeing how much calcium dd gets,and needs. but also a multi vit supliment is given so she has vit D which helps absorb what little calcium she does get.
http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/calcium.php


hope that helps

Lucy
xx

[JDArsenal]

I did alot of research on this recently and the only tablet/chewable also gummi bear variety that my children (4 and 2) would go near are the ones found on this website : http://www.1stvitality.co.uk/acatalog/animal_parade.html

I really hope this helps as I have only just started taking calcium supplements myself after taking no dairy for 14 months - as I was not explained the complications later on it would cause me.

Dieticians - we love them don't we !!!

Kindest Regards

Susan

[Bet]

I know you probably dont want to hear the word doctors or prescription!! but my 4 year old was prescribed calcium sandoz which is in liquid form. The only benefit from getting this from the doctors is at least you wont have to pay and if they put it on a repeat form hopefully you'd only have to see the doctor once!

Good luck whatever you do!

[Pam]

Thanks for that, I think I will make an appointment to see the doctor with her after all, why pay when I can get it free? I have just been to the health food shop and got some Osteocare liquid which is an orange flavoured syrup but 2 x 5ml spoonfuls only give 38% of the RDA so the bottle is only going to last a week if she takes the max dose (2 spoons twice/three times per day) and at £3.60 per bottle it will become expensive. I also tried some Halib orage multi vitamins and minerals but these only have 20% RDA and she doesn't like them.

Her big toe nails are a real mess, they just chip and break off too low down so I'm worried about ingrowing, sore nail beds etc and if this is caused by lack of calcium I'd rather do something about it. At least I can see the state of her nails, I'd hate to be causing damage to her teeth and bones in the same way.